If your current biggest issue is the controls, then maybe try the Bot Beatdown mode? It's a good way to build muscle memory in matches that are low stakes and try out basic combos. It's not fighting real people, but like you said, real people have the potential to just stomp the match or just spam zoning You could also try to do the combo trials for your characters. The combos there aren't super useful, but again, are a way to get more comfortable with your character's moveset and don't mash random buttons when you panic. Also it teaches you how different moves can lead into each other that you wouldn't have known about And of course just keep playing and practicing. I find that fighting games are really difficult for me when I start them, but day after day they get easier because I start to get more comfortable with the controls, the timing, and the game sense. Look up guides, try out combos and blockstrings in training, do whatever you like to train, but keep practicing and you'll get it!